Two guys digging holes in my lawn

[debodun]

When I went out to get the mail, a black panel van pulled up and two men got out. One started swinging some kind of instrument over the grass. They didn't say anything, so I asked them what they were doing. One said "Looking for the water main shut off." I went back in the house and when I looked out, the other had a shovel and they were digging here and there. My lawn is going to look like a golf course.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Oh no. I guess you don't know where it is? We have had to have the water main found and dug up also. It was a real mess. We had a water leak in the house. Until we could get it fixed we had to go out to the street, lift up a man hole thing, and reach way down to reach the valve, then you needed pliers to turn the bloomin thing.

Keep us informed, sand good luck.

 

[Remy]

If they are from the local water company, I'd call and find out what is going on. And they need to leave it how they found it.

When I owned that house there was some kind of access in my backyard, sewer, water. I don't remember. I knew this, it was disclosed. Only once did the workers have to access it in 7 years. He said something about someone's pool up the street. Never any heavy equipment.

 

[Sliverfox]

Go out & ask them for paper work on what they are doing.

You didn't get a notice in the mail.

 

[Nathan]

Just tell them where the body is, so they don't mess up your whole lawn.

 

[debodun]

If they are from the local water company, I'd call and find out what is going on. And they need to leave it how they found it.

Yes, the van indicated it was from the village DPW, but usually residents are informed about things like this. There's no mention of it on the village web site or it's Facebook page.

 

[Remy]

Yes, the van indicated it was from the village DPW, but usually residents are informed about things like this. There's no mention of it on the village web site or it's Facebook page.

Call deb!

 

[helenbacque]

Ask anyone who comes on your property unannounced and begins to do anything …. Ask for a business card or identification badge.

 

[Sliverfox]

Are they still digging?

Hope they aren't near you little apple tree.

 

[MrPants]

The municipality should have a map for each property showing where the water main shut-off & the water line leading into the property is. They do use a metal detector as well to pin point the shut-off. I don't believe the municipality needs to give you advance notice to enter your property for the purposes of maintaining their equipment installations. Yes, they should leave your property in good shape, including filling in any holes and overseeding if it's a lawn area. Of course this time of year they would need to reschedule the grass seeding until growing season.

Water main shut-offs have to be replaced more often than not because they are exposed to moisture and fluctuating temps year after year and they are used so infrequently that when they need to shut them off; they're often seized and need replacement.

 

[debodun]

Are they still digging?

Hope they aren't near you little apple tree.

They've left and were only here about 5 minutes. I did see them digging near the apple tree.

 

[debodun]

I just went out and took some pics.

 

[Jules]

Have you called the city yet to see why and what they were doing.

 

[jlhog]

Most likely they are utility locators. If he was swinging the instrument like a metal dector they are looking for lines that are underground. Power, gas, water, fiber optics all can be run under ground. Did they place any small colored flags near by? If they were near the street it might be in the right of way and not really your property. Most places have 3-4 feet either side of the street that is really not owned by the homeowner.

 

[debodun]

Did they place any small colored flags near by?

No.

 

[debodun]

Have you called the city yet to see why and what they were doing.

I PMed the mayor. She said she'll "look into it". No use calling the DPW garage. Speaking from past experience - they never answer their phone.

 

[George1959]

This is (ahem) strange. The writer Ephraim Kishon once wrote a book with satircal stories. One of it on useless digging in a city was named "Der Blaumilchkanal" (The Blue Milk Channel).